Provide Cash Assistance to Customers Affected by Bushfires

Document date:  Mon 20 Jan 2003
Published:  Mon 20 Jan 2003 13:22:16
Document No:  200107
Document part:  A
Market Flag:  N
Classification:  Other 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP       2003-01-20  ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Melbourne                                                     

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ANZ today announced cash assistance for customers whose homes have
been destroyed by bushfires this summer, especially those in Canberra
over the weekend, and a package of other assistance measures.

ANZ will provide immediate cash assistance for its mortgage customers
whose primary residence has been affected by the fires. The
assistance will involve a $10,000 cash grant where their home has
been totally destroyed. Customers whose homes have been partially
destroyed through structural damage to their home or amenities
receive a $5,000 grant.

ANZ will also offer to:

* suspend repayments on all loans for three months

* waive fees associated with restructuring business loans considered
necessary due to bushfire impacts

* waive early withdrawal costs for term deposits

* consider temporary adjustments to customer lending limits including
credit cards to assist them to cope financially with unexpected costs
arising from the bushfires.

ANZ Managing Director Personal Banking and Wealth Management, Mr
Elmer Funke Kupper said we know now is the time people need access to
money to help them rebuild their lives.

Mr Funke Kupper said the devastation caused by the recent fires in
Canberra, Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia and the
extent of their impact on local communities had been felt by the
whole nation.

"The measures are a tangible way we can directly assist those people
in the community who we know and work with on a daily basis. We are
committed to supporting them and we will continue our policy of case
by case assessment of customer needs for further financial assistance
to help them recover from the disaster as necessary," he said.

Customers who wish to take advantage of the assistance measures
should approach their local ANZ branch or contact ANZ's National
Customer Service Centre on 13 13 14 as soon as practical to discuss
the impact of the fires on their business or personal circumstances.

For media enquiries, contact:

Paul Edwards
HEAD OF MEDIA RELATIONS
Tel: 03-9273 6955 or 0409-655 550
Email: edwardp12@anz.com